Arada awards major contract to build Sharjah’s largest and most advanced fitness hub at Aljada
News: 23 June 2022
- 65,000 sq ft gym will be operated by the fast-growing Wellfit brand
- RAQ Contracting wins AED75 million contract to construct fitness centre, BOUNCE trampoline attraction and public facilities
- Contract is final award in the second phase of entertainment district Madar
Arada has awarded a major contract to build Sharjah’s largest and most technologically advanced fitness centre, which will be located in the popular Madar family entertainment district at its Aljada megaproject. At more than 65,000 sq ft in size, the gym will be operated by Wellfit, the fast-growing fitness brand founded by Arada in 2021.
The contract, which covers the construction of all buildings within the second phase of Madar at Aljada, will also see the construction of an 18,000 sq ft trampoline park that will be managed by BOUNCE, marking the popular Australian brand’s debut in Sharjah, alongside new public facilities to support growing visitor numbers at the destination.
Valued at AED75 million, the contract was awarded to Dubai-based RAQ Contracting, which is already working elsewhere on the Aljada jobsite constructing the second Sarab garden villa community. Construction began in May and work will take 12 months to complete.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said: “The award of this contract shows our determination to provide residents and visitors to Aljada with truly world-class facilities and experiences. Wellfit is rapidly establishing itself as the UAE’s premier fitness and wellness brand, and this incredible new fitness hub is in line with our mission to enable healthy and active lifestyles for everyone in both Aljada and Sharjah.”
Situated in a distinctive elliptical building and surrounded by green landscaping, Wellfit Aljada is spread over two floors. The fitness centre contains separate men’s and women’s gyms, assessment areas and fitness studios, with space allocated for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), yoga, spinning and a special studio dedicated to children. Wellfit Aljada will also contain a Hungry Wolves café, serving up healthy and delicious meals and snacks, as well as a sporting goods store.
In keeping with Wellfit’s other facilities in Dubai and Sharjah, Wellfit Aljada will integrate several fitness technologies and digital tools in its offering, providing users with advanced tracking activity and performance assessment.
Launched in May 2021, Wellfit operates the UAE’s largest indoor multi-sports fitness centre, which is located at Circle Mall, Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai, with a branch also located at Nasma Central, the lifestyle hub at Arada’s Nasma Residences community in Sharjah.
Opened in 2020 by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Madar at Aljada was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and has rapidly become one of the UAE’s most popular family entertainment destinations.
The first phase of Madar contains the Aljada Discovery Center, the Zad food truck district, a free-to-enter drive-in cinema, a children’s adventure playground, an indoor events space, an outdoor amphitheatre and the Aljada Skate Park.
As well as the Wellfit gym and BOUNCE trampoline park, the second phase of Madar contains the second and third extensions to the Aljada Skate Park, more parking and a further 460,000 square feet of parkland.
Spread over a 24 million square foot area, Aljada is Sharjah’s largest ever project and a transformational destination for the Emirate. With a sales value of AED24 billion, Aljada contains numerous residential districts, as well as extensive retail, hospitality, entertainment, sporting, educational, healthcare components and a business park, all set within a green urban master plan. In total, Aljada will contain 25,000 homes.
